Monday, December 24, 2012

Siruvani – The Life Line

This is my 50th post in this blog and let me express my gratitude to all followers and well wishers who had been the pushing power, behind these notes, on my travel, all these years. Read ahead...

The mountain stretch of Western Ghats, bordering Tamil Nadu
and Palakkad district of Kerala, is believed to spring out the tastiest and
sweetest flow, which was planned to be tapped, early in the previous century,
to cater to the needs of the then tiny town of Coimbatore. The Siruvaani Mountain
– so is the stretch known – thus witnessed the construction of a dam in its
valley, blocking the Siruvany flow, to be diverted to the other side of the
hillock.

Before the dam, the Shiruvani flow was a mighty tributary of the
Bhavani River, which later joins the Cauvery. A road was also constructed
connecting Mannarkadu of Palghat District with Coimbatore, which runs past the
Shiruvaani sector so that the reservoir is accessible from both sides. The road
is still there in good shape, but traffic is strictly restricted for wildlife
concern and the region still remains a least disturbed stretch of evergreen
woods, with all flora and fauna endemic to the Western Ghats.

Our
destination was Pattiar Bungalow, an old building constructed along with the
dam, located amidst the reservoir and we were at the Wildlife Warden’s office
at Mannarkadu, by 3 PM, in this context. While going through the formalities,
the officer in charge reminded us twice, that we are late and will have to
hurry, as to reach our destination before its dark. Got out soon, bought provisions
from the town, for the night and the following day, and headed along the
Palghat route. Deviated left at Edakkurissi, went past Palakkayam , left human
habitat and had the first stop at a Forest Check post. Normally visitor’s
vehicles are not permitted beyond this. The staff there had prior intimation on
our visit and didn’t have any hassles. The next stop was at Sinkapara Forest
station and the forester in charge of the station informed that two watchers
have already been sent to Patiar bungalow and they too urged to move quickly
as it was already half past 5 in the evening.

Just
about 100m ahead, we had a road block as a Gaur.

He was very reluctant to give
way and we had to spend more than 10 minutes, on that account. No more events
and reached the bungalow before light faded.

Despite the chill people were
reluctant to go in, as the view from the portico was simply amazing. The
Siruvani flow suffers a deep plunge in joining the water storage and the
bungalow is located to face Muthikulam falls – so is it known – with the dim
light magnifying its beauty and majesty.

The Paatiaar Bungalow is a big old building with two well appointed bed rooms, a
ding hall and a kitchen apart from a spacious Veranda. Reji and Krishnan – the care
takers – showed off their cooking skills and the cold night could do nothing
against stuffed bellies.

Assigning
morning duties with Krishnan, Reji accompanied us in roaming the premises of
the Bungalow, which presented astonishing sights, giving a restless hour to my
camera.

After breakfast drove up to the state border and went ahead with the
inevitable part of such travels – a hike up the hillocks. Sugunan, the watcher
in charge of the check post, guided us to Keralamedu, a moderate hike from the
border point. Still Sunil had a hard time as he had to carry his one year old tot
all along.

Once up,
the amazing beauty of the valley and the cool breeze won’t let one return that
soon.

To the north of the mount lies the Coimbatore part of Tamil Nadu and the
filtering plant can be clearly spotted at the base, where the water tunneled across
the mountain is treated, before piping it to the town of Coimbatore.

The
Muthikulam falls, the reservoir and even the bungalow can be spotted to the
south, presenting a panorama and to add to it, we had a lone Gaur grazing in
the adjacent hillock.

On return, paid a short visit to the intake well of the
tunnel and got back to the Bungalow by noon. As we expected, Reji and Krishnan
were ready with a delicious meal, with delicacies we never expected.

Packed
up after the lunch and while driving past the huge dam structure, amidst thick
greenery, I was wondering how this sector would have been a hundred years back
and fearing how it would be a few years later.

Shinu.. Good to c u, i'm working closer on Wildlife Photography & Forest safety awareness programs & i hope this would helps me, can u suggest me the contact details for this place and details to gather the dept and explore.Msg or Whats App - 9710820426 (Im from Chennai)

Wonderful blog!!.. and nice writeup along with pictures. Pictures speaks about your travel. Thanks for sharing this lovely travel experience. It makes me feel like i should travel to those places. Book your bus tickets in advance in Hebron Travels to comfort your journey.